Mets notes: Mourning Tony Gwynn

The Record

Mourning Gwynn

Manager Terry Collins mourned the loss of former Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn, who died Monday at age 54.

"I got to know Tony very well and we’re all saddened by it all. Certainly one of the greats," Collins said. "It’s been a tough start for baseball. You lose [Don Zimmer] and then Bob Welch. Now Tony Gwynn. Two guys that are young. It tells you we’re all vulnerable. We lost, in my estimation, really, truly one of the best hitters the game’s had."

Collins still remembers seeing Gwynn taking early batting practice in the mid-1990s while he was hitting around .400. Collins, managing the Astros at the time, asked the outfielder why he was taking swings hours before the official batting practice.

With Eric Young Jr. back in the fold, Collins said choosing three outfielders to start is a day-by-day process. Collins said veteran Bobby Abreu, who started his sixth straight game Monday, likely will receive a day off today or Wednesday.

"I just think it’s the safest way to go about it," Collins said. "[Young Jr.] is coming off a leg injury and it’s starting to be the time of year when the perspiration is going to lead to fatigue, and fatigue leads to injuries, so you kind of have to watch a lot of guys."

Gee update

Dillon Gee (lat) threw a bullpen session Monday and will throw another Thursday when he joins the team in Miami. A source previously told The Record that the belief is Gee will be back by July 1 and possibly make a rehab start June 23.

Roster moves

Andrew Brown was demoted to Class AAA Las Vegas to make room for Young Jr. Brown was sent down instead of Matt den Dekker because den Dekker provides the team with another option in center field.

Mets notes: Mourning Tony Gwynn

"I got to know Tony very well and we’re all saddened by it all. Certainly one of the greats," Collins said. "It’s been a tough start for baseball. You lose [Don Zimmer] and then Bob Welch. Now Tony Gwynn. Two guys that are young. It tells you we’re all vulnerable. We lost, in my estimation, really, truly one of the best hitters the game’s had."

Collins still remembers seeing Gwynn taking early batting practice in the mid-1990s while he was hitting around .400. Collins, managing the Astros at the time, asked the outfielder why he was taking swings hours before the official batting practice.

With Eric Young Jr. back in the fold, Collins said choosing three outfielders to start is a day-by-day process. Collins said veteran Bobby Abreu, who started his sixth straight game Monday, likely will receive a day off today or Wednesday.

"I just think it’s the safest way to go about it," Collins said. "[Young Jr.] is coming off a leg injury and it’s starting to be the time of year when the perspiration is going to lead to fatigue, and fatigue leads to injuries, so you kind of have to watch a lot of guys."

Gee update

Dillon Gee (lat) threw a bullpen session Monday and will throw another Thursday when he joins the team in Miami. A source previously told The Record that the belief is Gee will be back by July 1 and possibly make a rehab start June 23.

Roster moves

Andrew Brown was demoted to Class AAA Las Vegas to make room for Young Jr. Brown was sent down instead of Matt den Dekker because den Dekker provides the team with another option in center field.